Buy me a coffeeDinosaur, Archaeoceratops, the Ancient Beaked Wanderer
Tiny but tenacious, the Archaeoceratops scurries through prehistoric undergrowth—proving you don’t need horns to survive a world of giants!
Archaeoceratops is a compact, nimble dinosaur roughly three feet long, with a lightly built frame covered in coarse, pebble-like scales. Its most notable features include a strong, curved beak perfect for shearing plants, and a small, rounded frill at the back of its skull, lacking any horns. Its slender legs end in sharp claws suited for quick, agile movements through dense underbrush.
Behaviour:
Primarily a cautious herbivore, Archaeoceratops relies on speed and vigilance rather than physical defenses. It often moves in small groups or family units, communicating with soft calls and body language. When threatened, it will dart into thick vegetation or seek higher ground to evade predators rather than confront them.
Habitat:
This dinosaur inhabits semi-arid floodplains dotted with cycads, ferns, and coniferous plants. It favors areas where low-lying vegetation is plentiful and offers ample cover, allowing it to stay hidden from larger carnivores stalking the region.
Modus Operandi:
Archaeoceratops forages by cropping tender shoots and leaves with its powerful beak, carefully selecting nutritious plants while avoiding wasteful biting. It stays alert for signs of predators, using its keen eyesight to detect movement and coordinating with its group to stay safe. When danger approaches, it uses sudden bursts of speed and dense foliage to escape.
Motivation:
Driven by survival and the need to nourish itself and its kin, Archaeoceratops values caution and cooperation. Its primary goal is to avoid conflict and maintain access to safe feeding grounds, relying on quick reflexes and social bonds to outlast threats in a world dominated by larger predators.
Archaeoceratops 5e
Archaeoceratops 3.5 (Homebrew)
Archaeoceratops
Small Beast, Unaligned
CR 1/4 (50 XP) • Proficiency Bonus +2
Armor Class 13 (natural agility)
Hit Points 18 (4d6 + 4)
Speed 40 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 (+0) | 16 (+3) | 12 (+1) | 2 (–4) | 12 (+1) | 6 (–2) |
Saving Throws Dex +5
Skills Perception +3, Stealth +5
Senses passive Perception 13
Languages —
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)
Traits
Nimble Escape.
The Archaeoceratops can take the Disengage or Hide action as a bonus action on each of its turns.
Alertness.
The Archaeoceratops has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight or hearing.
Camouflage.
While in natural vegetation or underbrush, Archaeoceratops has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks.
Actions
Beak Peck.
Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target
Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.
Fleeing Dash (Recharge 5–6).
The Archaeoceratops uses its quick reflexes to dash up to its speed without provoking opportunity attacks. If it moves at least 20 feet this way, creatures within 5 feet of it must succeed on a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw or be unable to take reactions until the start of their next turn (representing its sudden and erratic movement disrupting foes’ balance).
Tactics
- Hit and Run: Archaeoceratops prefers to avoid direct confrontation. It uses its Nimble Escape to disengage or hide quickly after a brief peck or distracting move.
- Use Terrain: Takes advantage of thick undergrowth or rocky terrain to gain stealth and break line of sight.
- Pack Alert: If in a group, it signals danger with shrill calls, encouraging nearby allies to flee or prepare defenses.
- Defensive Flight: If cornered, it will use Fleeing Dash to escape quickly, attempting to disorient pursuers.
Archaeoceratops
Archaeoceratops is a member of the family of horned dinosaurs which includes Triceratops.
Originally Posted by Allenbdinoboy of the Wizards Community forums.
| Archaeoceratops | |
| Small animal | |
| Hit Dice | 1d8+3 (7 hp) |
| Initiative | +2 (+2 Dexterity) |
| Speed | 25 ft. (5 squares) |
| Armor Class | 18*/16 (+1 Size,+2 Dexterity, +3 natural), touch 12, flat-footed 14. |
| Base Attack/Grapple | +/+ |
| Attack | HeadButt +0 (1d6) |
| Full Attack | 2 HeadButts +0 (1d6) |
| Space/Reach | 2.5 ft./5 ft. |
| Special Attacks | Pounce, x2 Damage on a charge |
| Special Qualities | Low-LightVision, Scent |
| Saves | Fort +5, Ref +4, Will +3 |
| Abilities | Strength 10, Dexterity 14, Constitution 16, Intelligence 1, Wisdom 15, Charisma 8 |
| Skills | Listen +2, Spot +2, Survival +2, Swim +2 |
| Feats | Run |
| Environment | Warm forests |
| Organization | Solitary Pair, Herd (3-40), or Colony (41+) |
| Challenge Rating | 1 |
| Treasure | None |
| Alignment | Always neutral |
| Advancement | Hatchling 1 HP (Dimin), Juvinile 1/4-1/2 HD (Tiny), Adult 1-3 HD (Small), Jr Bronco 4+ HD (Medium) |
| Level Adjustment | – |
Combat
Archaeoceratops normally tries to avoid combat, but if it’s family is in danger it will charge at it’s opponent and headbutt it repaidly untill the enemy retreats.
Pounce (Ex) When a Archaeoceratops makes a charge, it can follow with a full attack
*Ac is 18 only when attacked in front.